Atlantic City Directories

City, Telephone, and Cross-Reference Directories contain a wealth of information for those researching Atlantic City's past. City Directories include names of residents, home addresses, and professions, along with a classified listing of businesses. Advertisements for businesses are also found in the City Directories. Beginning around 1940, the City Directories include a street and address guide which lists each address and a person living there. Telephone Directories include the name(s) of the telephone account holder, as well as an address and telephone number. Classified listings in Telephone Directories ("yellow pages") include business advertisements. Cross Reference Directories list, by address, each building and a resident. They also include the resident's telephone number, and may include information on the value of the property and whether or not the resident is new to that address.

The Atlantic City Heritage Collections has a large selection of Atlantic City City, Telephone, and Cross Reference Directories available for researchers to consult. Not every year is available. Please see the table below for additional information. Some of the directories are available only in print; some are available only in microfilm. Inquire at the Help Desk to use the microfilm directories at the Library or to see directories that are only availble in print.

For information on remote research assistance with directories, please see the Atlantic City Heritage Collections Research and Copy Fees page.